Transmission mechanism



Sept. 7 1926. l,599,345

w. M. PIKE TRANSMIS S ION MECHANI SM Filed Nov. 26, 1923 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 WITNESS: ATTORNEY Sept. 7 1926. 4 1,599,345

w. M. PIKE TRANSMISSION MECHANISM Filed Nov. 26, 1923 4 Sheots-Sheet 2 IVENTOR WITN SS: A'rToRNEY Sept. 7 1926.

W. M. PIKE TRANSMISSION MECHANI SM 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Nov 26, 1923 WITNESS:

ATToRN EY Sept. 7 1926. l,599,345

w. M. PIKE TRANSMISSION MECHANISM File d Nov. 26, 1923 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 "Patented Sept, 7, 1926.

WILLIM MI. PIKE, OF PARNASSUS, PENNSYLVANI.

TRANSMISSION MECHANISM.

Appiioaaon med November 28, 1928. serial No. 877,078.

This invention relates to variable speed mechanisms and has -for an object the provision of a power transmission mechanism, by means of which a drive and a driven shaft l may be connected and the relative'speed and direction of rotation of the latter regulated in a manner to permit of speed changes without the usual objectionable shifting of gears, the invention beingv especially adapted for .use in motor driven vehicles.

Another object of the inv'ention is the provisionof a speed change mechanism by means of which the operation of a driven shaft from a drive shaft may be Controlled,

so that operation ofthe driven shaft may be stopped while-the drive shaftcis rotating, V i withoutthe use of a clutch.

With the above and other objects in view,

the invention further includesithe following novel features and details of construction, to

be hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanylng drawings' and pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings:-

Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a. transmission mechanism constructed in accordanc'e with the invention.

Figure 2. is a section on the line 2-2 of Figure 1.

` Figures 3 and 4 are sections taken respectively on the lines 3-3 and 4-4 of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary section on the line 5-5 of Figure 2.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary section showing the valve seat.

Figure 7 is a detail sectional view of the valve.

Figures 8 and 9 are diagrammatic views, the former illustrating the driven shaft as rotatinigi` in a direction reverse from the drive shafe while the latter indicates the drive and. driven shaft Operating in the same direction. theI direction of operation being indicated by arrows. w

Referring to the drawings in detail wherein like 'characters of reference denote corresponding parts, the reference charaoter 10 indicates'a housing` which may be provided with a suitable base 11 and which is designed to contain the transmission mechanism constituting the present invention; The housing 10 is stationary, while mounted in this housing is a rotatable casing 12 which is supw ported upon bearing sleeves 13 secured to 'the housing 10. These sleeves serve to support the-casing 12 and in addition provide bearings for a main' drive shaft 14 and a i driven shaft 15, the said-shafts being axially ahgned and extending within the casing 12.

Secured upon the drive shaft 14 is a o'ear 16, While mounted upon the driven shaft 15 are gears 17 and 18, the formerbeing fast upon the shaft and the latter relatively stationary or rigid with the bearing sleeve 13. These gears are mounted within the casing upon opposite sides of a fluid chambers 19. The partition includes spaced plates 20 between which there is mounted for rotation upon-the shaft 14 a plate or disk 21.

The plate 21 is provided with 'a plurality mentioned pinion engages the gear 16, one

being provided upon diametrically opposite sides of the said gear. The other pinion 24 is mountedv upon a shaft 27 which also has secured thereon a pinion 28. The pinions 28 and the shafts 27 are duplicated upon artition and the latter divides the casing into separate' diametrically opposite sides of and engage the gear 17.

One of the pinions 23, of each pair is carried by a shaft 29 so.that,a shaft 29 will be provided' upon diametrically opposite sides' of the casing. The shafts 29 lhave secured thereon-pinions 30 and the latter engage the gear 18.-

--The openings 22 within which th'e pinions arey located provide compression ohambers, the chambers of the pinions 23 being connected by an arcuate passage 31 which is located in one face of the plate 21, while the chambers of the pinions 24 are connected by an arcuate passage 32 which is located in 7the opposite face of the plate 21. As the plates 20 abut the opposite facesof the plate 21, they provide one'wall for the passages 31 and 32, an inlet port 33 which extends through one of the plates 20 serves to admit fiuid from one of the fluid chambers 19 to the passage 31.

Both the passage 31 and the passage 32 communicate with a valve chamber 34 which extends through the plates20 and 21. This valve chamber is of 'cylindrical formation and theends of the passages 31 and 32 dis- -charge into this chamber. Operating within the valve chamber 34 is a Ahollow cylindrical valve which is open at one end and which is provided Withl spaced ports .36 andi 37 whlch are adapted to be brought into' and, out of register with the discharge ends of the passages 31 and 32 respectively.v Thel valve 35 has connected thereto an arm 37 'w while the latter is'in turn connected to one en'd of a rod 38. /This rod is operatively connected as shown 'ati 39 'to' a lever 40. This 'lever is pivotally mounted as at 4 1's'o that it may be rocked in opposite directioi'is to move the vports 36 and 37 into and out of register with the discharge ends of the passages 31 and 32 as just explained.

The casing 12 is designed to be filled to approximately its center vline with a light lubrieating oil. With the lever set at neutral or in the-position indicated at N in Figure 1, the ports 36 and 37 will register With the dischargev ends 'of the passages 31 operation ofptheV` shaft carried gears 23.\

and 32, so that 'if Ipower is, applied 'to the driven shaft 14 the fluid from the fluid chambers 19 will be' permitted to enter the ports 33 and 34 and travel past the pinions 23 and 24 into and through the passages 31 and 32 and through the ports 36 and37. The pinions 23,and 24 -will thus be free to rotate and no operation of the shaft 15 will occur. f Should the lever 40 be moved toward the position indica'ted' at F, the dischargeend of the passages 31 and 32 would be closed proportionately to the movement of the lever, pressure. of the fluid within the comression chambers or openings 22 would liave a tendency .to lretard motion of the pinions, the -retarding effect becoming more effective 'until the valvel is entirely closed. The same action would occur with the lever 40 moved in an opposite direction or to-l wards the positio R' 'which would be reverse.

Referring particularly to Figure 8 in which the parts are shown in diagram it will be seen that with the drive shaft 14 Operating in the direction of thearrow indicated on the gear 16, the pinions 26 will rotatle in a reverse direction. These pinions `in turn drive one of the pinions 24 of each pair of pinions, which pinions 24 are mounted witliin the plate 21 which is freely rotatable. The pinions 24 drive'the shafts27 and the latter operate the gear 17 which is keyed or secured to the shaft 15. One of the gears 23 of each pair does not transmit power, being merelyaii idler driven by the other gear'23 of each pair, the idler serving merely to providev suflicient compression to be acted upon by the fluid to retard the This compression within if the gear 16 is driven iii the direction indicated by the'arrow and 'the plate 21 was lated by the positionlof the valve 35. Thus l held against rotation due to the pressure`vl of fluid within'thechambers 22, the vgear 17 would be rotated in anl opposite 'direction as indicated by the arrow on said gear,

with the pinions also rotating in the'direction of their arrows. The speedof rotation of the gear 17 is regulated by the position -of the valve as p'reviously desoribed.

' Referring to 'Figure 9, when the lever 40 is moved to the position vR and the valve 35v is closed, the pinions 24 will be held \`against rotation, being carried around from the. direction of the arrows lby the gear 16 so that theplate 21 is rotated in the same 'direction. 'The pinions 24 are also held against rotation and carry the gear 17 with thein in the same direction. The gear 18 being stat'ionary, it will be seen that ifa retarding pressure is 'brought to bear upon the pinions 23 soas to stop their rotation,

then the pinions`30 which are fixed to the' 4shafts 29 and in 'mesh' with the stationary gear 18, would stop' rotation of the casing w 12 and reverse the the gear 17.

- Should the 1everv40`be placed in a neudirection of rotation of vtral position, neither of the conditions ex-` isting in Figure 8 or 9 would occur, therefore the shaft 15 would be idle so that the neoessity for a' clutch is, obviated. The invention is 'susceptible of various changes in its form, proportions and minor ;details of construction and the right is herein reserved to make such properly fall within the pended claims.

Having described the inventionl what il Scope of the apclaimed is I 1. A variable speed mechanism embodying a casing, a drive shaft and a driven shaft extending into the casing, means including a rotata-ble member dividing the casing into separate fluid chambers, said member having changes' as passages therethrough to provide communication between the .fluid chambers, intermeshing pinions in said pass'ages, means operatively connecting the pinions with the drive and driven shafts. a valveffor controlling the passage of fluid through said passages to control the speed of rotation of the driven' shaft and relatively 'stationary means operatively associated with the pinions to ,control the direction of rotation of said driven shaft. i

v2. A 'variable speed mechanisin embodying a.casing, a drive shaft and a driven' shaft extending into the casing, means including a rotatable member dividing the 'casing into separate fluid chambers, said member having passages' therethrough to provide communication between the fluid chambers, intermeshing pinions in said pas- Ill separa-te chambers, said member having'passages therethrough to provide communicat1on between the fiuid chambers, compresslo'n chambers in said passages, compressionfeleo vesta-bhslnng communication between' the ments in said compression chambers. means operatively connecting the compressionf-elements and the drive and' driven shafts, and a valve for controlling the 'passage of fiuid through said passages to the compression elements and regulate the compression Within the compression chambers to control the operation of the drive shaft.

- 4. A variable speed mechanism embodvinga casing a drive shaft and a driven shaft extending into the casing, means including a rotatable member dividing the casing into separate fiuid chambers, said member having passages therethrough to provide communication between the fiuid chambers, compression elements located within the path of the fiuid Within the passages, means operatively connecting the compression elements and the drive and driven shafts and means for controlling the passage of fiuids through said passages to regulate the operation 'of the compression elements and control. the operation of the driven shaft. w

5. A variable speed mechanism embodving a casing, a drive shaft and a driven shaft extending into the casing. spaced 'plates dividing the casing into separate fluid chambers and defining an intermediate chamber, a member rotatable Within the intermediate chamber, compression chambers within the rotatable member, compression elements within the compression chambers, means o`p eratively connecting lthe compression elements and the drive and. driven shafts, in-' let ports for the compression chambers, outlet passages for said compression chambers and a valve operable to control the outlet passages to regulate the flow of fiuid through and speed of operation of the compression elements. i

6. A variable speed mechanism embodying a casing, a drive shaft and a driven shaft extending into the casing, spaced plates di- Viding the casing into sepa-rate fiuid chambers and defining an intermediate chamber, a member rotatable within the intermediate chamber, compression. .chambers within the rotatable member, compressionv elements within the compression chambers, means operatively connecting the compression elements and the driven and drive shafts, ports fiuid chambers and compression chambers, a valve to control the ports and regulate the flow of fiuid to the compression chambers and relatively stationary means operatively associated with the compression elements to control the direction of rotation of the driven shaft. o

7. Avariable speed mechanism embodying a ca'sing, adrive shaft and. a driven shaft extending into the casing, a gear fast upon the drive shaft, a forward gear upon the driven shaft, a reverse gear upon the driven shaft, means including a rotatable member dividing the casing into separate fiuid chambers, said member having fiuid passages therethrough to provide communication between the fiuid chambers, intermeshing pinions Within said passages in the path of the fiuid, means operatively connccting certain of the pinions with the forward gear of the driven shaft, means'operatively connecting other of'the pinions with the reverse gear ofv the driven shaft, means operatively connecting certain of the pinions with the gear of the drive shaft, means for controlling the passage of fluid through the passages to provide 'compression to act upon and regulate theoperation of the pinions' and means included in the fiuid controlling means to select the pinions to'be acted upon and regulate the direction of rotation nl! the driven shaft.

- In testimony whereof I affix mv signature.

' WILLIAM M. PIKE. 

